Soy Growers Defend Soymilk

The American Soybean Association and the Soyfoods Association of North America call the Dairy Pride Act unnecessary. The Act would prohibit the term “milk” from being used with soymilk and soymilk-based

products, under the premise that the term “milk” is misleading to consumers.

In a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Monday, the groups said the legislation is unnecessary “as no confusion in the market exists.” The two organizations argue that the term “soymilk” has been in commercial use since 1947, and that: “Consumers of soymilk clearly understand that the product is derived from soybeans rather than bovine milk.”

The letter cited a 2006 Soyfoods Association study that found out of more than 800 respondents, none believed cow’s milk to be an ingredient in soymilk. The letter follows a separate letter to the Food and Drug Administration sent last week, in which the Soyfoods Association concluded that use of the name "soymilk" complies with FDA regulations on common or usual names, and noted that soymilk has been included in USDA materials dating back to 1963.

Source:  NAFB News